Curated OER
Voices or the Holocaust
Eighth graders determine how victims of the Holocaust fared. In this World War II lesson, 8th graders collaborate to research Holocaust deportation, ghettos, resistance, hiding, escape, and survival. Students discuss their findings and...
Curated OER
New World, Old Evils: Latin America and the Holocaust
Young scholars examine how Latin America was affected by the Holocaust in Europe. In groups, they research topics related to Latin America and World War II. They interview survivors if possible and discover how entire nations were...
Curated OER
What America Knew About the Holocaust?
Students examine American involvement in World War II. In this World War II lesson, students discuss the Holocaust and its implications. Students read New York Times articles regarding the treatment of Jews during the war. Students infer...
Prestwick House
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Pre-reading worksheets, discussion prompts, activity ideas, research assignments, and more await you in this resource for supplementing your class reading of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.
Curated OER
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Anticipation Guide
Let your learners voice their opinions on morals and human rights with an anticipation guide for Asa Butterfield's The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Before reading the novel, kids read several statements that encourage them to agree or...
Curated OER
Scapegoating and Othering
Scapegoating and "Othering" is the focus of a series of activities that ask groups to consider how these behaviors contribute to hatred and intolerance. Groups are given a scenario and discussion questions based on the situation. Whether...
Curated OER
Using Picture Books to Teach the Holocaust
Students compare a photo of a child's room during the Holocaust to their room. In this WWII lesson, students read picture books and evaluate the roles of characters in the book. Students create either a poster about the roles, a movie...
Curated OER
A Poetic Finale
Young scholars write a poetic response to the Holocaust as a culminating activity to a unit on the Holocaust. They listen to and discuss a rap song about the Holocaust, complete various handouts, and write a poem for future generations.
Curated OER
Using The Complete Maus to Enhance the Student's Understanding of Maus
Students read The Complete Maus to explore how Maus is actually three books in one. In groups, they evaluate the book as a tale of surviving the Holocaust and a tale of impacting future generations. They examine the conditions at...
Curated OER
"Night": A Study in Compassion and Courage
Students read the novel, "Night" by Elie Wiesel. Using excerpts from the novel, they complete a performance and literary technique objective. In groups, they finish handouts to give them more information on the Holocaust. They compare...
Curated OER
One Survivor Remembers: Anti-Semitism
Learners analyze and discuss how propaganda influenced anti-Semitism and it's role in World War II. In this propaganda instructional activity, students define the terms involved in this assignment. Then they will discuss their reactions...
Curated OER
Salvaged Pages: Writing as a Response to Literature
Students discuss the topic of the Holocaust. Before reading and discussing Elie Wiesel's "Night", they complete an activity giving them a different perspective on the event. They read diaries and journal entries of children and write a...
Curated OER
Comparative Genocides
Students examine genocidal events throughout history. Using the internet, they research these events and compare and contrast them with the Holocaust. They analyze the amount of inhumanity towards others throughout history. In groups,...
Curated OER
Auschwitz Episode Guide: Surprising Beginnings
Students examine how the Nazis came to power and living conditions at Auschwitz. They watch and discuss a PBS documentary, read and discuss handouts, analyze a Pyramid of Hate, and assign experiences in their own lives to different...
Curated OER
Until Then I Had Only Read About These Things in Books
Students read assigned text about the World War II. In this Holocaust survival instructional activity, students identify the mass murders associated with Adolf Hitler's Nazi party and read stories of young men who narrowly avoided the...
Curated OER
Holocaust Lesson Plan: Timeline
Students explore the chronology of the Holocaust, make connections between Holocaust events and contemporaneous world events and acquire a frame of reference for comparing their reading with actual events during the time of the Holocaust.
Curated OER
Introduction to The Diary of Anne Frank
Get a glimpse of Anne Frank's years in hiding with this activity, which introduces The Diary of Anne Frank. Readers complete a journal entry about how they would keep themselves occupied if they were forced into hiding (without personal...
Curated OER
Photography in the Holocaust
Students analyze photographs for the use of propaganda. They explore the idea of having photos used as historical documents. Students realize the importance of having photos to tell stories.
Curated OER
Introduction to the Holocaust: Appreciating Another Culture
Middle schoolers explore the concept of cultural diversity. In this cultural diversity lesson, students read Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen and discuss cultural traditions. Middle schoolers then research countries and cultures and...
Curated OER
The Chosen: Problematic Situation
"What my father had anticipated was now actually happening." The Chosen explores the complicated relationships between parents and their children. Readers make personal connections to Chiam Potok's story, set in Brooklyn's Hasidic...
US Holocaust Museum
Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936
The Olympics are about more than sports—at times, the games are also a place of racism and prejudice! Pupils investigate the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. They analyze the meaning behind the materials included in the United States...
Curated OER
Unsent Letter: Characterization in Briar Rose
After completing Jane Yolen’s Briar Rose, class members assume the voice of Gemma and craft a personal letter to her granddaughter telling Becca how she feels about Becca’s actions and the discoveries at Chelmno. Complete directions for...
Curated OER
Jewish and German Art
Young scholars draw a self-portrait in pencil with shading. In this Holocaust lesson, students discover Hitler's idea of art and compare it to the art of the Jews during the Holocaust period. Young scholars discuss reasons the art of...
Curated OER
Social Studies - Concentration Camps -2
Eighth graders investigate the typical day in a concentration camp. In this Holocaust lesson, 8th graders read primary and secondary sources about the conditions of the camps. Students also conduct research about the Warsaw Ghetto,...